Principal's Report

Dear Families and Friends of Nazareth College

Year 12 End of Year Activities

I am extremely proud of our Year 12s, together with their parents and teachers, for the way in which they finished their formal schooling last Tuesday.  They had a wonderful celebration and were acknowledged by the entire school at their final Assembly.

Some awards were presented on the day and these went to:

Thomas Leigh – Male House Champion (McCormack)

Jamika Aliaga – Female House Champion (Knox)

McCormack – House Spirit Cup

I wish all Year 12 students the very best in their remaining exams and look forward to their final Mass and Valedictory Dinner.

China Delegation

At present, I am in China on the invitation of the Shanghai Government and our Chinese School delegates.  We have visited numerous schools and have attended an International Conference on how to improve educational outcomes.

It is obvious that the Chinese education system values the way in which Australian, Canadian, French and American students learn.  Delegates from all countries have presented papers outlining how education in each country is administered and how International students are benefiting from being involved in each system.

It has been wonderful to observe some of the technological advancements that the Chinese schools have implemented – especially their STEM centres, Robotics and enquiry-based learning.  I hope to be able to elaborate and implement some of these advancements in the coming year at Nazareth College.

International Youth Silent Film Festival

Congratulations to Daniel White (Year 9 Mannix 5) and Ronan Lobo (Year 9 Knox 3) for their award winning entry entitled 'Silence!' in the International Youth Silent Film Festival.  As finalists, they will be heading off next year to Portland, Oregon USA for the Global Awards in June 2018.

We are very proud to have had three student films in the top seventeen (17) in the Regional Finals – more than any other Victorian school. 

Our congratulations also go to Julia Proctor (Year 9 Knox 2) for 'Double Trouble' and to Alyssa Mastromanno (Year 9 Mannix 5) for 'Notes' and to the actors, family and friends who supported them.  Particular thanks go to Ms Mirella Venturini – teacher and mentor.

We wish these students all the very best!

Taster Days

Following the success of our Grade 5 Taster Days earlier this year, on three days in the past week Nazareth has hosted over 450 Grade 4 students from twelve different primary schools.  The Taster Days were designed to give the primary school students a 'taste' of secondary school and of life at Nazareth.

The Grade 4 students could choose three activities on the day from a selection which included Wood Technology, Food Studies, Textiles, Dance, Art and Science.  Students were also treated to a performance by one of our College Music ensembles.  

Joining us for the Taster Days were all the Grade 4 students from St Simon's (Rowville), St Elizabeth's (Dandenong North), St Justin's (Wheelers Hill), St Gerard's (Dandenong North), St John Vianney's (Mulgrave), St Joseph's (Springvale) and a number of students from Resurrection Primary School (Keysborough), St Anthony's (Noble Park), St Andrew's (Clayton), Lysterfield Primary School, Mulgrave Primary School and Rowville Primary School.  A large number of parents and staff from each of the primary schools also joined us for the day.  Several of our student leaders took our guests on a tour of the school, culminating in morning tea in The Joseph Centre which was provided by our Parents' Association.

The rest of the Taster Days was a great success.  The primary school students were delighted with being able to take home the chocolate truffles they had made in Food Studies, the pencil case they made in Wood Technology or their tie-dyed bag from Textiles.  One of the activities for students in Art was to make a card to take home to their parents.  The students were able to write anything they wanted in the cards, but here is a selection which shows just what a wonderful time they had at Nazareth.

Dear Mum and Dad – I love Nazareth.  I hope I can go here.  All the teachers and staff here are so nice.  I really hope I can go here.

Dear Mum and Dad – I had a fun and fantastic day at Nazareth and I can't wait to come here.  I'm looking forward to coming here!  Thanks Mum and Dad.

Can I go to Nazareth?

First, I had Textiles.  We made tie-dyed bags and we got to use the sewing machine and we sewed over straight lines.  Next, I had Food.  Our teacher was so nice.  We made chocolate rum balls and I ate half of them.  My last activity was Art – we made scratchy hats and this card I am writing to you!

To Mum – Can I go to Nazareth for my high school?

Dear Mummy and Daddy – Today I had Food Tech, Science and Art.  In Food Tech I made coconut balls and they were so yummy!  In Science, we did an explosion and green foam came out!  It was fascination!  Next, I did Art and I made this and a flower with rainbow drawings.  I loved Nazareth.

Dear Mum and Dad – Today was amazing!  I did Textiles first and did tie-dying.  Second I did Dance and did one of their Production dances and saved best to last – Art.  I made a crown and this card for you.  I Love Nazareth and I hope to get in!

Knox House Leader

I am delighted to announce the appointment of an additional House Student Leader for Knox in 2018.  Natasha Roberts will be joined by Nathan Dever.  Congratulations Nathan.

To say that these first four weeks of Term 4 have been extraordinarily busy is an understatement.  I thank each and every staff member for his / her hard work, commitment and effort throughout this period and trust that the Mid Term Break and Melbourne Cup holiday on Tuesday will provide some respite.  I look forward to sharing my China experience with you on my return.

Mr Sam Cosentino

Principal